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U.S. restaurants starved for business
Los Angeles Times ^ | August 20, 2010 | Sharon Bernstein

Posted on 08/21/2010 9:57:00 AM PDT by ConservativeStatement

With consumers and businesses keeping a lid on expenses, more and more small and mid-size restaurants are throwing in their dish towels and closing up shop.

Southern California lost nearly a thousand more restaurants than it gained during the 12 months that ended in March, representing a net 2% drop that was twice the national average, according to the New York research firm NPD Group.

Nearly all the closings were among independently owned restaurants: small, family businesses that just couldn't hold on as customers held back. Earlier in the year restaurants reported modest increases in business, but the jumps in sales were too little too late for many.

"We were going in reverse," said Ken Rausch, who last month made the wrenching decision to close his family's 65-year-old San Gabriel Valley restaurant, Edward's Steakhouse. The restaurant had weathered previous recessions, but this downturn drained the family's resources — and showed few signs of letting up, Rausch said.

(Excerpt) Read more at articles.latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: bhoeconomy; economy; restaurants; sixth100days
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Barry and Michelle-my-Belle are trying their best to visit each and every ice cream shop, however.
1 posted on 08/21/2010 9:57:03 AM PDT by ConservativeStatement
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To: ConservativeStatement

That is very inconsistent with Moochelle’s obesity jihad. She should not allow any of them to be seen with ice cream or snow cones.


2 posted on 08/21/2010 9:58:23 AM PDT by omega4179 (JD Hayworth)
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To: ConservativeStatement

obamaworld consequences.


3 posted on 08/21/2010 9:59:22 AM PDT by Doogle ((USAF.68-73..8th TFW Ubon Thailand..never store a threat you should have eliminated))
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To: ConservativeStatement

I have no idea how this is not the front end of a depression.


4 posted on 08/21/2010 10:00:11 AM PDT by CommieCutter (A Centrist Democrat is now defined as: between Socialism and Communism.)
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To: ConservativeStatement

5 posted on 08/21/2010 10:00:49 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.)
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summer of recovery rox!!!!!!


6 posted on 08/21/2010 10:02:02 AM PDT by raygunfan
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To: ConservativeStatement
I quit eating at restaurants when we saw a silhouette of a fat rat walking across the transparent light fixtures on the ceiling, as we heard the cooks babbling in Spanish...

I like eating at home now.

7 posted on 08/21/2010 10:02:34 AM PDT by dragnet2
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To: dragnet2

Sounds like an Anthony Bourdain episode. /sarc.


8 posted on 08/21/2010 10:03:58 AM PDT by ConservativeStatement (Obama "acted stupidly.")
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To: ConservativeStatement

I live walking distance from Orso’s and I didn’t realize it had closed. It wasn’t that great a place, though. Very secluded, nothing really to look at. Had kind of a cold, bland atmosphere. I think the place on Sunset Strip are doing okay though. I know I’m helping keep them afloat.


9 posted on 08/21/2010 10:04:44 AM PDT by A_perfect_lady (I can see November from my house.)
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To: ConservativeStatement

We’re still going, and tipping high to make up for the business loss, but I hadn’t thought to go to family restaurants instead of chains. I love Red Robin!


10 posted on 08/21/2010 10:05:13 AM PDT by nina0113
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To: ConservativeStatement

The funny thing is that the restaurants around my way are still paacked. And, no, I don’t live in DC or Northern VA.


11 posted on 08/21/2010 10:05:30 AM PDT by rbg81 (When you see Obama, shout: "DO YOUR JOB!!")
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To: ConservativeStatement

Which fast food joint will not survive the next 5 years ???

My Guesses are Wendy’s, Jack in the Box, KFC or Churches.


12 posted on 08/21/2010 10:08:29 AM PDT by Le Chien Rouge
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To: ConservativeStatement

Hope and change at work.


13 posted on 08/21/2010 10:09:16 AM PDT by pnh102 (Regarding liberalism, always attribute to malice what you think can be explained by stupidity. - Me)
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To: CommieCutter

I have no idea how this is not the front end of a depression.


This will cheer you up. /sarc

http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/and-now-we%27re-headed-for-the-greatest-depression-says-gerald-celente-535350.html?tickers=%5Edji,%5Egspc,tlt,tbt,edv,udn,tip&sec=topStories&pos=6&asset=&ccode=


14 posted on 08/21/2010 10:11:01 AM PDT by Starboard
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To: raygunfan

The winter of our discontent is going to suck monkey balls


15 posted on 08/21/2010 10:12:22 AM PDT by mylife (Opinions $1 Halfbaked 50c)
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To: ConservativeStatement

I was devastated to see our favorite local pasta place out of business the other day. They were family owned and had the best pizza. It is the second of our favorite restaurants that have closed this year. It’s enough to put me in a depression.


16 posted on 08/21/2010 10:16:24 AM PDT by Trick or Treat (Palin/Bachmann 2012!)
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To: Le Chien Rouge
Which fast food joint will not survive the next 5 years ???
My guesses are Wendy’s, Jack in the Box, KFC or Church's.

I haven't seen many Church's in Southern California in the past several years. KFC seems to be going strong.

17 posted on 08/21/2010 10:18:28 AM PDT by Fiji Hill
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To: pnh102

Wonder how that hope and change is working out for all the servers who were gung ho for Obama.?


18 posted on 08/21/2010 10:22:01 AM PDT by screaminsunshine (m)
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To: Starboard

I’m not sure about his solution:
“The answer, Celente says, is to bring back the laws that prevented huge companies from getting so big and powerful, and put some opportunity back in the hands of ordinary people. “

I’d say he’s right about what’s happening. My wife and I haven’t seen a raise for 3 years now, and my overtime is basically non-existent now. To top it all off, I find out that my situation is a blessing compared to others.


19 posted on 08/21/2010 10:24:33 AM PDT by CommieCutter (A Centrist Democrat is now defined as: between Socialism and Communism.)
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To: Le Chien Rouge

Wendys and KFC to just fine where I live.


20 posted on 08/21/2010 10:27:57 AM PDT by CommieCutter (A Centrist Democrat is now defined as: between Socialism and Communism.)
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